Summary
Overview
This episode explores the concept of 'winners' through a deep investigation into white South Africans seeking refugee status in the United States under a Trump administration executive order. The story follows two competing visions: Afrikaners who want help staying in South Africa versus those who want to immigrate to America. It centers on Sam Busa, who independently interpreted the executive order, organized thousands of applicants, and eventually became an official referral partner for the U.S. government's refugee program—demonstrating how ordinary citizens can shape policy implementation through determination and initiative.
The Winner Mentality at This American Life
Host Ira Glass discovers he constantly tells his staff 'we're winners' and 'let's win' without realizing it. Staff reactions vary dramatically—some find it motivating while others find it eye-roll inducing. Producer Lily Sullivan initially identified as a loser with low competitive scores, but eventually came to appreciate the mentality as a way to gear up for difficult work ahead.
- Ira Glass learned he constantly says 'we're winners' and 'let's win' without realizing it
- Some staff find it motivating while others like Nadia find it makes them angry
- Lily identifies as a loser and scored 34 on a mental toughness test in college soccer (compared to teammates in the 80s and 90s)
- After working on the Albertville story together, Lily came to appreciate the winner mentality as preparation for difficult work
" That's a loser mentality. We're winners. "
" I identify as a loser. I am kind of a loser. I'm a quitter. "
" We have to get up a mountain and there are mules who are going to bring us up the mountain and we just have to like encourage these mules to drag us up the mountain but we're the mules "
The Executive Order on South Africa
In February 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14204 addressing discrimination against Afrikaners in South Africa and offering refugee resettlement to the United States. Uist Strydom, leader of a whites-only town in South Africa, was thrilled to see the issue recognized but surprised by the refugee solution—he wanted help staying in Africa, not leaving it. Afrikaners have a specific historical identity as descendants of Dutch settlers who maintained apartheid for nearly half a century.
- Executive Order 14204 addressed 'egregious actions' and discrimination against Afrikaners in South Africa
- Uist Strydom saw the order at 3 AM South African time and was shocked the president mentioned Afrikaners specifically
- The order offered refugee resettlement, which Uist didn't want—he wanted help staying in Africa
- Afrikaners are about 7% of South Africa's population but own nearly three times the farmland of black South Africans
" the president of the mightiest country in the world mentioning us specifically "
" We don't want to be refugees. We want to be here. We are African. We belong here. "
" Rather, help us here "
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